Cay Denise

Inspiration Photo taken by Cay Denise, June 2012 Inspiration to me is something that touches one deeply and to such a degree that it expands a viewer's mind and/or soul. What I mean is that at the times I've been inspired, the inspiration gave me the ability to look beyond what my imagined concepts of such things as clever, fun, unique, powerful, sad, beautiful, etc. are. Through that inspiration, my creative imagination was fueled, and it led to a broadening of what my creative work accomplished. That said, inspiration can tickle the soul, or lead to a softening of emotional pain. It can open your heart to the desire to create something because of your love for-- or the meaning you draw from-- that which has inspired you. It can be a (figurative) door that suddenly opens because of an idea or the confidence you gain of how to move through it -- that has been sparked by inspiration. Inspiration may make you laugh or cry. It may peak your excitement or your questioning. It may...

This project is just about complete...yippee! It is not my best piece by a long shot. But it was a first attempt of creating a two-sided quilted wall hanging...one side, a busy one, and the other side, a quiet one. The important discussion point for this post is that I've had this UFO (unfinished project) stashed for many years. Why I've left it incomplete is a mystery. It could have been being overwhelmed with the quilting I'd have to do given that the basting job was not a good one. It could have been that there was going to be too much material to feed through the harp of my machine to be able to quilt it well. It could have been that I couldn't see my way to a design idea for the quilting. It could have been that I'm not especially in love with the piece. It could have been a combination of these things. So, when you have a piece that you struggle with the completion of, what is that stuggle about? I'm taking a craftsy.com quilting video series ...

Why do you sit there when you have a great idea that wants to be made? Oh, I know...you've got groceries to buy, the house to clean, mail to take to the post box, and anything else you can think of in order NOT to get to work. Why is that, and why is it that so many people suffer from the syndrome of procrastination? I admit it...I have the syndrome too! Yes, I think up all sorts of things that have to be done before I 'feel comfortable' entering the realm of creative chaos to do the work. What is it that keeps me from immediately and excitedly jumping into that chaos instead of resisting it? Entering the chaos should be welcomed because that is where creativity thrives and where wonderful ideas are shaped and made into tangible works of art...it is the portal from invisible to visible! I resist the potential for my own success by not heeding the call to eagerly and with all haste...jump in to that creative chaos. Then the idea that elicited my resistance ...

A piece inspired by a Beatles tune..."Baby's in Black"...about a love triangle.  I love how the interior of the piece pops with the flying geese border!  

Afterworking on this last night and today, another challenge piece iscomplete! The Fast Friday Fabric Challenge was to create something using the principal of Gestalt: an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts. After looking at a number of photos of Gestalt image constructs, I decided to do something with the dandelion. The piece is more of an abstract representation of dandelions especially those that are going to seed. I learned how to do the 'Fly Stitch', and have used it to represent the seeds. The yellow center of the blooming flower is actually one of my altered photographs printed on fabric, and the flower petals are tissue paper backed with transparent acetate that is attached with velcro to the fabric backing.

This piece is in response to a Fast Friday challenge to create a fabric piece from a childhood memory. The one I chose was of sliding in kindergarten. What I did first was to draw a girl sliding down a slide -- which involved looking at photos of slides to get the perspective and lighting right. Then I created a piece that is an abstraction of that drawing. The girl I drew had a ponytail...thus there is a braid in the piece which is made of a ribbon and horsehair. Since the slide I remember is one of the old aluminum ones that was reflective and burning hot in the mid-day summer sun, the inside of a Starbucks coffee bag was used to simulate the reflective quality of the metal.

Just finished the quilting last night, and added the cording and trimmed up the piece tonight! Only the binding remains to be added before it is technically done. It now has a name and that is "Contour Map" (after the lines of quilting that emulate the photo inspiration for this piece). Earlier post about this piece: It has been challenging to find the time to do creative work and be focused on that doing -- without distraction. But I've finally had a bit of time to start working on a Fast Friday Fabric Challenge. The design idea has been lying on the floor for weeks. The photo shows the piece in progress (early on)...that has quite a ways to go. Wish me well in finishing before month's end!

In her Mark-Making/Doodling workshop, the overall message is to play, try out new materials and techniques, and layer, layer, layer! I just finished the background in the photograph tonight. The materials used include watercolor paper, fabric spray paint, stencils, watercolors, acrylic paints, pens (Copic, Sharpie metallics, and others), oil pastels, liquid paper correction pen, and alcohol inks. There were some really wonderful pieces done by classmates!

The challenge was to create a piece of art involving weather. Does this say 'windy'?

Recently bought a pack and really like them!

Materials in this piece include: PVC pipe, screen, earplugs, pipe cleaners, plexiglas, broom fibers, rubber o-rings, copper pot scrubbers, metallic tape, wire, paint swatches, etc. It looks kind of strange, but was fun to make!

Its good to be back to creating in fabric. This pieces is made entirely from fabric scraps including the binding, is 15"x15" and was made in a day.

Took a class from Julie Nutting today (author of 'Collage Couture') and made this in 3 hours. Learned alot of surface design techniques as part of the class.

The 'Praying with Images' video is beautiful and soul-filled. It describes the incredible journey of an artist into the realm of making spirit -- art -- through the commitment of work, reverence and ceremony. This is art that has evolved the artist rather than what we generally hear as the artist's work evolving.  Watch the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/meinrad

Recently, I received a rejection notification for an entry submitted for an upcoming exhibit back east. Yes, a rejection letter has an effect. Shortly after reading this particular letter, I started asking myself what is wrong with my art (even though the rejection letter encouraged continuing to enter other shows). What was it the judges in this one were looking for? Why was my work apparently off the mark? Were they only interested in pieces that artists were willing to sell since the exhibit is a fundraiser? A whole host of additional questions ran through my mind as well. What I can't do is to continue the wondering which contributes to impairing my confidence as an artist. Instead, I need to get busy with the work and produce, produce, produce!

Tonight (for the first time in a long time), I played with arranging fabrics in a spontaneous design. I was originally trying to interpret a digital photograph, but it became something quite different. Looks a little turtle-like, don't you think? What do you think of the above conceptual image for the stitching design?

My experience in taking the time to look at someone else's work and delivering well-thought out comments/questions considerately to the maker -- has suggested to me that a number of people aren't really interested in a critique when they ask for one...but rather are looking for a quick 'praise fix'. Getting a critique can be difficult especially when it is on a piece I've made and love. But praise rarely helps me learn how to improve my work or technique. Take serious musicians for example, they generally take private lessons from someone who is a professional and has honed his/her abilities on the same instrument as the student's. This instructor can hear and see what the student needs to develop and gives the student feedback and lessons (to practice) -- for the student's development. Serious artists need to work at developing their ability and honing their craft as well through learning about the masters of their chosen discipline, practicing techniqu...

Using an article from Cloth Paper Scissors (March/April 2011) by Susan Pickering Rothamel and Frankie Fioretti, I've started a restructured paper project...which looks like a collage and goes together like one. The Perfect Paper Adhesive dries quite quickly, and it looks like I'll have to coat it a few times to get the kind of finish I'd like especially because of the use of thicker papers and fabric leaves that don't lie flat. Here's Day 1 photo.

I think it has been at least a year if not two since I used my sewing machine. But today, it was put back into action on a fabric project. The directions for making a tie necklace were in the Spring 2011 issue of SewStylish, and I really liked the idea. Found a $6 silk tie at my local dry cleaners and voila...a really nice piece. The broach used is a pin that lost its back shortly after I got it in which it couldn't be replaced. Now, it has found a great new life! How do you think it will look with a business suit? What color suit would you wear with it?

Pulp Fashion is an exceptional exhibit! All the garments are made of painted and embellished paper. It is a truly amazing visual feast. The exhibit closes soon. So, if you haven't seen it and can possibly go, I highly recommend it!

The color is beautiful, but it needs to be sealed. What would you use?

A fat quarter and color-coordinated decorative paper butterfly clip!

This is a kaleidoscope created from a chandelier with red lights hanging in the 'W' Hotel in Washington, D.C. What do you think?

I attended a FEMA training recently, and as part of the class exercises, we were to draw a logo of a mythical community we were assigned. Guess who the artist was in my group? This photo shows the logo we came up with for the County of Middleton. The County has a national forest, agriculture, mountains and a nuclear plant.

Finishing the varnishing of this piece which includes foiling and special glitter glue.

In the November/December 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors magazine, Beryl Taylor detailed her process of making Shimmering Ornaments. They looked great, so I've tried my hand at them. These are a few of my completed ones. They take alot more time than I'd expected -- about 15 hours for 30 ornaments. Some of the work that took that time included embossing the metal tape and the wire-wrapping. But I'm pleased with the result. Oh, each has been embellished with a combination of buttons, shells and/or adhesive gems (a bit different than the way Beryl finished hers).

This video is unfortunately no longer available for viewing.

While in Barcelona, an art exhibit by Mariscal could be seen with the purchase of a ticket to Casa Mila (another Gaudi-designed development). So I went. His art is very imaginative and child-like. As part of the exhibit, there was an interactive element -- coloring in a mask based on his black/white design. Above is mine.

I recently returned from a first visit to Barcelona, Spain. This is a place I'd wanted to go especially to see Gaudi's architecture (La Sagrida Familia, Casa Balto, etc.). The adventure was not a disappointment, and I came home with lots of photo inspiration. Above is my first photo collage using three photos from the trip.